WE'RE A CARING COMPANY

AFTER 31 YEARS WITH THE A.G. COOMBS GROUP, MANAGING DIRECTOR RUSSELL TELFORD REVEALS THE LESSONS HE’S LEARNED WHEN IT COMES TO ORGANIC GROWTH AND AUTHENTICITY.

- ANASTASIA PRIKHODKO

Successful leadership is about people, building relationships and creating an environment of trust and collaboration. That’s the basis of what Russell Telford, Managing Director of A.G. Coombs, regards as authentic leadership. “There are some basic things you learn as a young person,” Russell says. “It sounds simple, but someone taught me the three questions to ask: ‘How are you?’, ‘What are you working on?’ and ‘How can I help?’”

In his 31 years at A.G. Coombs, Russell has learned the necessity of genuine interest, engagement and commitment. “I know that appears to be fundamental, but building success is linked to how you approach people, bring value to your clients and your work ethic. I think being a good leader is about being engaged,” he says. “The other important component is self-awareness. It’s about being conscious that you could be the limiting factor to success if you’re not continuing to get the right people around you to continually progress the business.”

After growing up in the building services industry, Russell ventured off to do a mechanical plumbing apprenticeship. This was followed by progressing to site management on several large-scale projects, before joining A.G. Coombs in 1988 as a site foreman. Since 1945, the company has been a provider of building services, delivering an integrated range of technical services for all systems in buildings.